Greg Kuzma is professor of writing in the English Department at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Along with those credentials, he has had more than twenty books of poetry published, writes screenplays, reviews and critiques the work of others. I hesitated at first to say he seemed like a Renaissance man to me, until I learned he also created the words and music to an operetta. I can use that designation now without hesitation. What Poetry is All About is a compilation of essays that reflect his gift for words. I expected this to be a college textbook - dry and tedious - but found it helpful, humorous, sensible, nonsensical in places, and an all around enjoyable experience.

Regarding American poetry, the author states it "speaks where it might have sung." He also laments that poets are not heard, except by each other. Regrettably, that may be true. He asks the reader, "Who if not you will read, or hear, and love and know these lonely inadvertent cries?"

Kuzma defines poetry as, "A disease. A fever which while it wastes and dissipates fulfills. The opiate of the bored and intellectual. A sullen art. A lonely business. Suicide with a hairbrush." I'm sure most poets would relate, especially the hairbrush part.

The author shares why editors reject or accept manuscripts, how to win readers, and what the poet's job entails. He also spells out clearly what he looks for when he reads, reviews, or critiques poetry: a dancing grace; a leisurely pace; insightful purpose; words spelled right; to be surprised a little at a time.

In the essay on publishers, even his tongue in cheek wit could not disguise the truth. Ditto his essay on careers in poetry. His hard won truths can be boiled down to few words: You won't win prestigious awards and monied prizes so don't count on it.

A man who knows, understands, and loves the written word authored this book. Even the humor was well-crafted. Poet Song was my favorite essay. Greg Kuzma is a wordsmith.